Watches, Stories, and Gear: A New Decade Dawns, 50 Great Podcasts, and the Technical Definition of a Fake

“Watches, Stories, and Gear” is a roundup of some of our favorite watch content on Worn & Wound, great stories from around the web, and cool gear that we’ve got our eye on.

This installment of “Watches, Stories, and Gear” is brought to you by the Windup Watch Shop.

Worn & Wound
Time Spec: the Mark XI

This story from the Worn & Wound vault takes a careful look at what for many is the ultimate tool watch, the Mk. 11. Manufactured for the British Ministry of Defense by IWC and Jaeger-LeCoultre, the DNA of the Mk. 11 can be felt in modern watches from those storied Swiss brands, as well as countless others. To a certain extent, the Mk. 11 has helped to define an entire collecting category (military watches), not unlike special Rolex Daytonas and vintage Patek Philippes. For fans of watches with military provenance, it doesn’t get much better than this.

Read the full story here.

NPR
People Can’t Even Agree on When the Decade Ends

Happy new year, Worn & Wound readers! It’s a new decade! Or is it? The question of whether or not the 2020s start now or in a year’s time is a surprisingly hot button issue, and this piece from NPR explores the ins and outs of the debate.

Read the full story here.

The Atlantic
The 50 Best Podcasts of 2019

We’re big fans of podcasts of all kinds here at Worn & Wound, and this list of the best of 2019 from the Atlantic is exhaustive and includes both high profile and under the radar pods worth listening to. While the Worn & Wound podcast isn’t included in the top 50 (I “control-F’d” immediately upon opening the article), there’s always next year.

Read the full story here.

The Fashion Law
What Makes a Fake a Fake? A Dive into Rolex’s Definition of a Counterfeit Watch

At some point in the life of every watch enthusiast, we all reckon with fakes on one level or another. Maybe you spot one very obviously in the wild, or come across a dubious listing on a forum for something that could pass at a glance, but falls apart upon close inspection. This piece in The Fashion Law take a look at what Rolex considers a fake, versus what the law considers a fake, and how those definitions can sometimes butt heads. Definitely worth a read for any Rolex collector. 

Read the full story here.

Proof
Lightning Field Jacket 

A good field jacket is one of those indispensable wardrobe staples, and we’re big fans of this one from Proof. It has a tough, waterproof shell that resists the elements, but is built with just a little stretch for the mobility you need and is packed with little extras that make functionality and fit a priority (waterproof pockets, cinches at the waist and hood for a customized fit, a stashable hood, and more). 

Shop Proof here.

Topo Designs
Commuter Briefcase 

The Commuter Briefcase from Topo Designs is already a bit of a classic. With total adjustability (it’s a backpack, shoulder bag, and a traditional briefcase) and the versatility to handle both work and play simultaneously, it’s yet another Topo product that is made to fit seamlessly into your modern lifestyle. It’s durable and rugged enough to handle the roughest commute or travel situation, but the leather accents lend the bag a sense of refinement that makes it appropriate in almost any work setting. 

Shop Topo Designs here.

The James Brand
James x Raen 

The James Brand’s latest collaboration is with eyewear makers Raen. The popular Elko pocket knife has been given a handle in tortoiseshell acetate to match Raen’s Wiley sunglasses. It’s a great, casual combination that has us wishing for the end of the dreary winter months and wondering why more everyday products aren’t made in tortoiseshell.

Shop James Brand here.